METCALFE CONFIRMS RENAULT WINTER DEAL WITH TEAM AKAFleet-based Formula Renault UK driver Jeremy Metcalfe aims to make an impression among the established order during the upcoming Winter Championship, after agreeing terms with race-winning outfit Team AKA to contest the four-round mini-series.17-year-old Metcalfe, who made his car racing debut in the 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship with Welch Motorsport, has improved markedly in testing with Coalville-based Team AKA in the short few weeks since the conclusion of the main series.Not only have the Hampshire teenager’s lap times improved greatly, his knowledge and confidence is growing every time he ventures out on track – confidence something he was sadly lacking throughout his maiden single-seater campaign.Metcalfe said: “It’s no secret we had a difficult first season in Formula Renault this year, but we did gain good experience of most of the circuits. Since we’ve been working with Andrew (Kirkaldy) and Paul Jackson, things have gone brilliantly well for us and we’ve completed more than 2,000 miles in testing since the end of the season.“We took a few knocks during the year but since we’ve been with AKA it’s renewed my confidence and we’re very excited about our chances in the Winter Championship. I’ve really been enjoying myself in testing and I’m hopeful a good showing next weekend will be the start of very good things for our partnership with AKA.”In karting, Metcalfe enjoyed tremendous success at home, in Europe and on a world stage. After becoming British Cadet Karting Champion in 2000, he went on to win the 33rd Parma Industrial Championship in 2003 at his first attempt; past victors, of course, including world-class drivers such as Formula One ace Giancarlo Fisichella.Metcalfe’s new team boss, Andrew Kirkaldy, has been glowing with praise for his charge, and the reigning British GT Champion and former McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year is confident he will raise more than a few eyebrows.“Jeremy’s been very impressive in testing”, said Kirkaldy, “We’ve shown him a few things he hadn’t learned during the main season and with his new skills he was very fast after a few runs.“I think he stands a good chance in the Winter Championship and we’re confident things are looking good for us ahead of next weekend. We’re delighted to have Jeremy within the team and hopefully we’ll be able to continue our partnership into 2006.”The Winter Championship commences at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent next weekend, 5th/6th November, with a pre-event test on Thursday, 3rd November, and a ‘free-practice’ session on Friday, 4th November. North Yorkshire’s Croft Circuit will then stage the final two races of the winter series on Saturday, 12th November.